Former Route 66 Station became Marathon Gas Station in 1971
Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, Dwight Illinois
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- Illinois
- Retail
- Service Station
- Route 66

Ambler's Texaco Gas Station was built in 1933 as a gasoline station providing oil, gasoline, and vehicle repair services to motorists along Route 66 as well as to the citizens of the Dwight area. It became Becker's Marathon Gas Station in 1971 and stayed open for another 26 years.
The town of Dwight is located in Livingston County, 30 miles west of Kankakee in an agricultural and bituminous coal mining area. Dwight was founded in 1854 and named for Henry Dwight of New York, the principal financial backer in the building of the Chicago and Mississippi River Railroad. James C. Spencer, a native of New York State, came to Illinois in 1852 to work as an engineer on the construction of the railroad. In the Spring of 1853, he laid out the town of Dwight and, at the same time, located the road through it. In 1907, the Public Service Company opened an interurban railroad that served Pontiac and Dwight. The interurban became part of the Bloomington, Peoria, and Joliet Interurban system.
Several institutions located in Dwight make it somewhat unique among small towns. The Keeley Institute, a renowned center for the treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse, was established in town, but was closed in 1966 due to lack of personnel. The Oakdale Women's Prison taught its inmates elementary and secondary education and instructed them in various occupational trades. The William Fox Children's Center has provided therapy for special education youngsters.
Several types of gas stations could be found along Route 66 in Illinois. These stations were classified by types including the curbside, the shed, the house, the house with canopy, the house with bay, and the oblong box.
Ambler's Texaco Gas Station is a good example of the house with canopy and with added bays. The original building is modeled after a design developed in 1916 by Standard Oil of Ohio which is commonly known as a house with canopy or domestic-style gas station. As competition between gasoline stations increased and oil companies sought to minimize community opposition to the crudeness often associated with early gasoline distribution buildings, image became a selling point. Soon, oil companies hired architects to design stations that would look like a small house and blend into the neighborhood. These domestic stations often had low-pitched roofs and were often based on traditional revival styles. Most house-type gasoline stations included a small office, storage areas, and public restrooms.
The addition of a canopy which was often integrated into the roof of the house type produced another distinctive type of gasoline station, the house with canopy type. The canopy provided shelter for service attendants and customers from the inclement weather and often attracted customers who wished to avoid the inclement weather while getting their vehicles serviced. The Marathon Station is a good example of a house with canopy type.
The addition of service bays to existing stations was common in the 1920s and 1930s, according to John A. Jakle and Keith A. Schulle in The Gas Station in America. The authors also state that before 1935 these additions usually adopted the architecture of the original structure. The addition of service bays allowed stations to become "one-stop" places for automotive service. In addition to washing the lubrication, engine, brake, muffler, and other repair services were usually available as well as the distribution of gasoline to motorists. The addition of the service bays to the Marathon Station created a house with bay type of gasoline station.
It is one of the few remaining stations on Route 66 in Illinois that retains the integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association with gas stations along Route 66.
Route 66 made it possible for travelers to go from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California on one numerically marked federal highway. The gas station was the lifeline for these travelers, and made it possible for them to reach their destination.
Ambler's Texaco Gas Station has served the town of Dwight and travelers along Route 66 for many years, not just as a place to purchase gasoline and automotive repair services, but as an important center for social gatherings. Phil Becker, long-time owner, understands the attraction of hanging out with the guys at the station. He grew up in a house across the street and remembered being at the station "all the time." In addition, there are numerous stories about the help provided to people in distress over the years. While little information is available about the building constructed for use as an ice house on the Strufe property, it was known to have existed for the purpose of storing ice for sale. The period of time the ice business existed coincided with the operation of the gas station, according to Lorraine Strufe, the daughter of Otto Strufe, who owned the property at the time the gas station was built.
U.S. Route 66 played a vital role in the history of Dwight and the lives of many local business people and their families. Originally Route 4, it went through the middle of Dwight's downtown. The prairie town of Dwight had blossomed into a bustling and hustling center of commerce by about 1920, when Route 4 was constructed. In the mid 1940s, "new" Route 66 was constructed around Dwight along the same path as it stands today. Although the highway no longer cut through Dwight, local businesses continued to benefit from travelers on the new highway.
Little evidence remains of gas stations from the Route 66 heyday. Jensen's Standard existed on the northeast corner of Routes 47 and 17. The old station no longer stands and has been replaced by a modern edifice. The latter is owned by the son of the original owner. A Shell station was built in 1946 during the time when the four-lane bypass was constructed around Dwight. It is located on the original Route 66 approximately one half block from the intersection with the bypass. This station closed in 1970 and was converted into apartments. The building is still recognizable as a gas station since the pump area and light standards remain. Another Route 66 area gas station is Johnson's Phillips. This was a combination gas station and cafe housed in two separate buildings. It was located just south of Feddersen's Pizza Restaurant about one half mile south of the Marathon Gas Station. Both buildings no longer exist and the lot is empty.
Site Description
The gas station, known historically as Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, was built by Jack Schore and his son, Paul, in 1933, on the Otto Strufe property located at the intersection of Route 17 and Old Route 66. In 1936, Vernon Von Qualen had the opportunity to lease the station and it became known as Vernon's Texaco Station. Sometime between 1936 and 1938, Mr. Von Qualen purchased the station from Mr. Schore. Then in 1938, he sold Vernon's Texaco Station to Basil (Tubby) Ambler and the property became known as Ambler's Texaco Gas Station. Tubby Ambler owned the property from 1938 until 1966.
Phil Becker, current owner, began working at this station in 1964, one year before Tubby Ambler sold the property to Earl Kochler. Mr. Kechler sold the station to Royce McBeath sometime between 1965 and 1970. On March 4th, 1970, Mr. Becker took over the station from Mr. McBeath. About a year after Mr. Becker purchased the property, Texaco discontinued supplying the station with gasoline. Thus, Mr. Becker signed on with Marathon. The name of the station changed to Phil Becker's Marathon Gas Station. Mr. Becker operated the station as Phil Becker's Marathon Gas Station for over 26 years. Today, the station is leased out and used as an auto repair shop.
The original building seems to follow a design developed in 1916 by Standard Oil of Ohio which is commonly known as a house with canopy or domestic-style gas station. This style of gas station was created to give travelers a comfortable feeling they could associate with home. It was thought that this association would create an atmosphere of trust in the commercial and recreational travelers of the time.
The Ambler's Texaco Gas Station's office area is approximately 23' long and 14' wide. This area includes the office and men's and ladies' bathrooms. Access to the men's room is by way of the office area and the ladies' room via an outside door on the south side of the building. The original sign "LADIES," typical of the times, protrudes from the southwest corner of the building. The bay area, which was added circa 1941-1945, measures approximately 27' across by 28' on the north elevation by 38' on the east elevation by 14' on the south elevation by 11' (southwest interior corner to the northeast interior corner forming a portion of east wall of the original building) by 14" (north wall of the original building). The building is located on the northeast corner of old Route 66 and Route 17 in Dwight with the front of the building facing west along Old Route 66.
The one-story building has a concrete foundation. There is no basement. The exterior walls of the original building are constructed of wood and covered with clapboard siding. The walls of the bay area, however, are constructed of concrete blocks. Since the bay area was added during the war years, shortages forced the use of this material. The gabled roof of the building is constructed of wood and covered with asphalt shingles. The gabled roof also covers the canopy of the station. The two piers supporting the canopy have been altered from the original structure. As shown in the enclosed picture of the station as it appeared circa 1936, the piers "flared out" on all four sides from the top of each pier to slightly below mid-way down. Each pier then "squared off' continuing to the base. The upper "flared" portion of each column was covered with wood siding. The lower "squared" portion of each column was either covered with asphalt siding simulating brick or actually built using bricks. Most probably the former was the case. The circa 1936 picture also shows the three Texaco gas pumps used during that period. Those pumps have been replaced with two 1960's style Marathon gas pumps. A sign with the word "Marathon" is attached to the roof over the bay area. The first letter "A" is missing. The service bay roof forms a ridge line which is higher than the ridge line of the original building. Both ridge lines run north and south.
The west (front) elevation has the original station building facing west with the service bays to the north, also covered with wood siding. Beginning towards the south of the building are two single-pane wooden windows measuring 58" by 5'4"'each. Historically these windows were smaller double-hung windows with 3/3 divided lights. Between the windows is an entrance door to the main building. To the north are two service bays with 5-panel garage doors with glass windows in the center three panels. Each overhead door has nine window panes and is 9' 9" wide. The office has a gable roof. The ridge line of the canopy is perpendicular to the ridge line of the office area and extends some 13" west to include the pump area. As indicated, none of the original pumps are in place. The exterior wood facing of the bay addition matches the facing of the main building.
The north elevation is the side of the garage bay and has two windows. All the windows in the garage bay are steel casement. Each window is divided into three small rectangular upper panes and three elongated lower panes. The concrete block wall is visible along this elevation with wood siding in the gable end. The east (rear) elevation shows the rear of the bay. The concrete block wall of the bay area has three windows, each measuring 44" in width. The extension of the rear bay ends approximately half way across the rear of the main building. A portion of the original building also is exposed to the east with an overhang protecting the entrance to the ladies' room. Two small single-pane wood windows face east, one on the entrance vestibule and one on the office area.
The south elevation is wood-sided, showing a portion of the bay area, the entrance to the ladies' room, and the south side of the original building. A small single-pane wood window is on the bay area portion. Two wood windows are on the original building, a large window similar in size to the front office windows and positioned toward the west and a half-moon window with radiating spoke positioned between the roof lines.
Starting from the front entryway on the west elevation, the opposing wall and to the left shows the men's room entrance and to the right is the office area. A doorway to the left allows entrance to the bay area. The office area is "L" shaped and contains counters and shelving. Much of the large window to the south now is covered with wood paneling and latticework. An interesting feature is the rack at the rear of the office which still contains charge slips of regular customers. Credit cards aside, many of the locals have had charge-slip arrangements for decades.
The bay area is accessed through the doorway to the left of the office area. A portion of the original building's exterior walls and roof line can be viewed from inside the bay area. This is where the bay area is joined to the original office area.
The station is very cluttered but is in quite good condition. Mostly, only cosmetic repairs are necessary. The building contains much of the original materials. Changes that have been made over the years primarily include windows in the office area and the piers supporting the canopy. Some lighting fixtures have been added over the years. It is the intention of the local township to acquire the station for use, possibly as a Route 66 Welcome Center.
The building situated on the property just north of the gas station was an icehouse that was operated as a business along with the station. According to Lorraine Strufe, the daughter of Otto Strufe who owned the parcel of land the gas station was built on, the exact dates of operation are unknown but it was most probably established by member(s) of the Jack Schore family during the mid-1930s. It is unknown when the ice operations ceased and the building began to be used for additional storage for the gas station. During the period of operation, a pond existed 150 to 200 feet east of the icehouse. The ice was cut and then stored in the building for sale. The building measuring approximately 24' by 16' is constructed of wood with wood siding. The building is double-walled with sawdust stuffed between the walls to provide insulation. The roof is constructed of wood and asphalt shingles.

West elevation (2000)

North elevation (2000)

East elevation (2000)

South elevation (2000)

Interior office area (2000)

Interior from bay area entrance to office area (2000)

Interior bay area (2000)
